Clear vision: Glenrinnes Distillery
Family-owned Glenrinnes Distillery in Speyside exceeds expectations with its Eight Lands Organic Gin and Vodka, enticing consumers to discover white spirits made in the heart of one of Scotland’s most beloved whisky regions.
Heather-covered Ben Rinnes, rising 841 metres above sea level, casts a shadow over the picturesque landscape. Hidden from onlookers below, a precious resource flows down its ancient volcanic rock hillside – a vital ingredient for distillers: fresh spring water. The Clashmarloch springs’ soft, low-mineral water is the secret behind Eight Lands Organic Spirits’ gin and vodka, delivering an exceptionally smooth, delightful mouthfeel.
The Glenrinnes Distillery was established in 2018 by Alex Christou, who became aware of the precious resource from a young age.
“Having moved to Glenrinnes at the age of 13, I was well aware that we had fresh-water springs on our land, providing us with the same high-quality water as our illustrious whisky-producing neighbours,” Christou explains. “When I started working for my family many years later, I realised that we had an opportunity to harness this wonderful natural ingredient and add something new to the area, rather than trying to compete with another whisky. It quickly became clear that there was an opportunity to build an independent vodka and gin brand on authenticity and the highest-quality organic ingredients.”
From the outset, Christou knew the distillery would bear the name of the glen. However, he wanted to create a name that would not be confused with a whisky distillery. On a clear day at the summit of Ben Rinnes, he was inspired by the breathtaking views of the eight surrounding counties, inspiring the name Eight Lands.
“From the very start, we have recognised that Speyside is well-known and widely loved among whisky enthusiasts but not necessarily non-whisky drinkers,” Christou says.
“It is certainly no bad thing to be able to reference the fact that Eight Lands comes from the same place as many of the world’s best-loved and most luxurious spirits. But we are finding that the story of place goes much further than that.”
The distillery’s spirits are produced in small batches from all certified organic ingredients, utilising a 1,000-litre pot still, a vapour basket, and column stills.
“We do things properly at Eight Lands, staying true to Speyside’s distilling heritage, using copper stills and time-honoured craftsmanship. Our production process takes longer than most, but it is what gives our vodka and gin their depth of character,” explains Christou.
Eight Lands Organic Vodka is made from malted barley, malted wheat, and unmalted wheat and produced through a unique process involving multiple distillations. Following a two-stage fermentation process, the wash is distilled into low wines and then blended with a high-strength organic wheat-based spirit and spring water. This mixture is further distilled in a pot still and two 10-plate rectifying columns. The result is a smooth and characterful vodka with mild cereal, vanilla, and coconut notes.
Handpicked botanicals
Eight Lands Organic Gin focuses on a precise recipe and perfect botanical balance. It is crafted using an organic wheat-based spirit, combining the rare methods of pot and column stills along with both maceration and vapour infusion. The gin is described as a true London Dry, characterised by an abundance of juniper and citrus aromas, complemented by eight other botanicals. Hand-picked cowberry and sorrel from the family’s estate add herbaceous notes and a delightful fruity finish to the gin, with hints of red berries.
“We only use the purest hearts from the distillation to ensure that Eight Lands maintains the quality for which we have become known,” says Christou. “Both vodka and gin are chill-filtered and cut with our spring water before being bottled. Eight Lands is also naturally vegan, gluten-free, and Kosher.”
Both the vodka and gin are designed for mixing in cocktails, such as Eight Lands’ signature drink, the Speyside Vesper, which combines equal parts of both spirits. However, the distillery’s gin and vodka can also be enjoyed neat.
In addition to the two signature spirits, Glenrinnes Distillery has released three products under its Producers’ Series label, available in limited batches and distinctive packaging. The first of these is a seasonal sloe gin, crafted to be less sweet than many other options available on the market. Additionally, the distillery has experimented with barrel-aged vodkas: one aged in a Muscat wine barrel and another aged in a Speyside whisky cask for nearly two years.
Family affair
“Eight Lands is a Highland distillery with a modern vision. We recognise our role as both a consumer and a producer, so we try to be responsible, sustainable and respectful in everything we do,” Christou adds.
“We are an independent family business, developed from a simple belief in keeping things as nature intended and a passion for naturally produced food; our estate has been an accredited organic producer since 2001. We are passionate because we are convinced it is good for the environment, and it also comes through in the taste.”
Glenrinnes Distillery offers various tours and tastings where guests can meet the team and learn about Eight Lands spirits. It also offers customisable VIP tours, including a half-day experience at the distillery and Glenrinnes Estate. Highlights include a visit to the top of Ben Rinnes, insights into organic farming, optional activities such as clay pigeon shooting and Argocat driving, and premium catering options.
Global ambitions
Eight Lands’ international strategy centres on expanding into key vodka and gin markets beyond the UK. The US represents the brand’s primary international market, where it has recently entered Florida following a busy 2025 during which Eight Lands launched its two spirits in Washington DC and Maryland through a partnership with Stefano Selections, as well as in New York and New Jersey with BevCon.
Additionally, the brand launched in Shanghai and Mainland China last spring through a partnership with Shanghai Society. The Eight Lands portfolio – including its limited edition Producers’ Series sloe gin and barrel-aged vodka – has been available in Japan and Macau for several years through high-profile venues such as the St Regis and W Hotel. The brand also plans to enter key European markets, including Italy, Spain, France, and Germany, starting in 2026.
Christou is committed to spreading Speyside’s reputation beyond whisky, as he concludes: “By working alongside fantastic distribution partners domestically and internationally, we are finding an opportunity to tell the story of why this part of Scotland is so wonderful, combining wild nature and warm hospitality alongside unrivalled resources such as our beautiful spring water and generations of distilling know-how. By introducing Eight Lands, our products and our brand story to wider audiences at home and abroad, we are simultaneously telling the story of how Speyside is more than whisky.”
Related news
Spirit of Speyside breaks ticket sales records
